PORTSMOUTH — The anticipation was palpable inside the Rusty Hammer even before the first pitch.

It was a modest crowd of Boston Red Sox fans who gathered to watch Game 6 of the World Series on a Wednesday night that doubled as trick-or-treat night in Portsmouth. Even Rusty Hammer proprietors Russ Hammer and Bill MacMillan were absent, as they had tickets for the game at Fenway Park.

But the die-hard local fans were there. They clapped after the national anthem. They went wild when Shane Victorino hit a triple that drove in three runs in the third inning. And by the time the final out was called in the 6-1 game, Sox fans were delirious at the prospect of a third world championship in 10 years for a team that had been haunted by decades of futility.

"I think coming from the bottom of the division ... and rising to the top and being the best team in baseball this year says a lot about John Farrell and the manager he is and the difference he's made," said Portsmouth resident James Songer.

Songer reflected back on the Red Sox team of a year ago that seemed years away from contention.

"Nobody liked them at that point in time. To see them come back from that is unbelievable," he said.

Now, the Sox are suddenly so popular that people at the Hammer were skipping work and school to watch the championship-clinching Game 6. Jill Farrell of Kittery, Maine, was there with some friends, one of whom called in sick to work to attend.

"We were here for the (American League championship series win)," she explained. "It had to happen again at this bar."

David Lovelace, owner of Portsmouth Book & Bar across the street, watched the game at the Hammer with his son, Hunter, and his son's friend, Josh Gerberdolan.

The 13-year-olds were blissfully unaware of all the years of torture that Red Sox fans faced before this recent string of success.

"I've grown up knowing the Red Sox are a good team," Josh said.

Lovelace said he had no problem letting the kids stay up late on this night.

"I took him out of school. It's the World Series," Lovelace said. "And we're going to the parade tomorrow."